LI Leonberger a Westminster contender

Chewee, a big, shaggy Leonberger from Long Island stood on his hind legs in front of a dog show judge Tuesday at Madison Square Garden and tried to give her a Valentine's Day kiss, as onlookers laughed.

"He's very affectionate," said owner Morgan Avila, 49, of Lynbrook. "He's a sweet, gentle giant."

This year marked Avila's and Chewee's second Westminster Kennel Club show, where Malachy, a 4-year-old Pekingese, was named best in show Tuesday night.

Though Chewee didn't win best of breed, the 140-pound pooch captured everyone's attention and stole the show offstage Tuesday. No fewer than three people were around him at any time, admiring him or petting his black and brown coat, with children showing special delight.

The 4-year-old Chewee -- or as he is officially named, Furion -- is no stranger to attention. He has been on Martha Stewart's show, the "Today" show and "Dog Whisperer." As a therapy dog, he routinely hangs out with groups of children, warming them up to dogs, and with veterans, whose blood pressure drops in the affectionate pooch's presence.

But, Avila said, Chewee truly shines when he is on a stage or a runway. "The Garden is something every dog owner looks forward to. There's nothing like New York, Manhattan, Westminster," she said.

Avila, a legal administrator, first met the rare breed when her boss asked her to help him research which big, friendly, non-drooling dog to get. She came up with the Leonberger, a German hybrid meant to resemble a lion and serve as a calm, energetic work or rescue dog. When Avila's boss brought his new Leonberger to the office, she thought, "I have to have this dog."

The sci-fi-inclined Avila family named theirs Furion, after the superior beings in the "Chronicles of Riddick" universe. But, they soon figured they needed a casual name. One of Avila's kids pointed out that Furion looked like a baby Chewbacca while standing on his hind legs.

When Chewee goes home Wednesday, he will have a delayed Valentine's Day treat waiting: a litter of his puppies born Tuesday to the female Leonberger, Lorna Doone, that is now also a part of the Avila family.

With AP